PORTLAND, Maine (AP) – Maine’s Democratic governor is expanding assistance to an influx of prospective asylum seekers and urging the federal government to also provide funding.
Gov. Janet Mills says Thursday her administration’s new regulations will allow asylum seekers to qualify for general assistance vouchers if they prove they are taking “reasonable good faith steps” to apply for immigration relief.
She says aid will help asylum seekers prepare to enter the workforce.
State law requires municipalities to offer food, housing, electricity and medical expense assistance to low-income people. The state reimburses 70 percent of costs.
Her administration estimates the new regulations will cost several hundred thousand dollars.
A 2015 law allows asylum seekers to receive general assistance for up to 24 months. But Mills says the previous administration ended up passing narrow regulations.
